Highlight: Usually, it is the wide receivers who draw the biggest cheers during training camp practices. But it was the young defensive backs that shined in Saturday's practice, the first since the Thursday's preseason opener. Two of the day's best plays were made by safety Rahim Moore when he quickly closed on receiver Matt Willis and swatted the ball out of Willis' hands before the receiver could secure a pass from Peyton Manning. Later, cornerback Tony Carter leaped high to bat down a deep pass from Caleb Hanie.

Lowlight: In a drill designed to test the defense at the end of practice, Jack Del Rio didn't like what he saw from his starters. After a running play went right up the middle, Del Rio yelled at his players, and then sent in the entire second-string defense.

"He's very demanding, and if we don't play at that tempo and that level, then we'll get taken out," defensive end Jason Hunter said. "It's just attitude, and knowing that we've got to play hard."

On the next two snaps, defensive players mixed it up with offensive players, starting with center J.D. Walton vs. veteran linebacker Keith Brooking. When the starters returned, Hunter fought with right tackle Orlando Franklin, even continuing the tussle after his helmet got knocked off.

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Position battle: Chris Harris started at the bottom of the cornerback depth chart in 2011, but ended the season as the team's starting nickel corner. Now he's trying to hold off all challengers for that coveted third corner spot, particularly veteran Drayton Florence. Harris played with the starters in Thursday's preseason opener, and remained there in Saturday's practice. It was Florence, though, that lined up at right corner with the starters when Tracy Porter left practice with a minor hamstring injury.

"I came prepared like it was my position to keep, and I've been working on keeping it," Harris said. "I feel like I played a great game and am continuing on where I left off last year."

Quarterback watch

Peyton Manning: For Manning, the practice seemed to go much like Thursday's preseason opener did. Manning continued to show great rapport and timing with Eric Decker, but his connection with other receivers and tight ends wasn't as precise. Manning was a spectator only in the final team drill, a session John Fox said was designed for the defense.

Caleb Hanie: He remained the second quarterback in the rotation during team drills, though he was third in during red-zone work. In that drill, he threw a touchdown to Gerell Robinson, who dove to stretch the ball over the goal line.

Brock Osweiler: He was frequently under pressure from the backup defensive line and had to scramble at least once during each team drill.

Adam Weber: His best pass of the day came in so fast at Andre Caldwell in the end zone that it ricocheted off Caldwell's facemask before the receiver could get his hands up.

Camp facts: The Broncos are off on Sunday. The team's next practice is Monday, from 2:20-5 p.m. That session is free and open to the public.

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